The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-06-16
rNn on THE nrrrr LAWS

END or THE BLUE LAWS.
The reign of strict Sunday observance which
Was inaugnraied a month ago. has come
90 an abrupt termination by the decision Of the
court that the laws Of 1864. which had been re-
yived, were invalid. This lets the cigar deal
ors sellers of soda water, butchers aud family
procers keep their places open on the first day
Of the week rs long as they please. This does
not affect the sale Of liquor. which is prohibited
by other laws. How strictly these will continue
Ca be enforced by the police remains To be seen.
For the past few Sundays il has been very
difficult thing 10 get glass Of liquor at any OF
the public places in Washington. The saloons
were all tightly closed. aud in such club-rooms
as Chamberlins only wcll-known customers
were served. and these were conducted 10 re-
mote and hidden apartment by trusty waiter
before they obtained their reviying cocktail,
or sprt-soOthing nip Of whisky" The po-
lice express themselves delighted with the law.
They find il more agreeable duty 10 keep the
barkeeper from selling whisky than TO arrest
the drinkers after they have filled their hides
full Of fighting liquor
THE MILKMEN's GoNGs MUST GO.
Among the minor nnisances Of Washington
are the changing gongs of the milk wagons.
Each one mas fastened 10 IL r0ng-bel from
10 10 Is inches in diameter, which, as he ar
rives before the house Of a customer, the driver
fires of ia a sudden aud alarming manner,
highly suggestive OF FIRE, burglars, mobs, riots
and other unpleasant things. As each family
In a block apparently makes il point TO pat
ronlZe different milkman there Is continual
banging around which is very trying TO a nerv-
Gus man. Live in Washington as long as he
may he can never get over assOciating the bang
of a big gong-bell with fire engine or a po-
lice patrol wagon, or the stoppage OF steamer
on which he is travelling and he springs mp
from his morning doze with his pulse jumping,
only TO find out that il is merely the milkman
announcing the arrival OF the lamilys daily
eight cents worth of mild and inonensiye
ski milk. The Commissioners of the District,
who are the Governors of the city, have been
appealed 90. aud ii is said that they have de-
cided that the pedlers of the Tactical fluid must
find some less startling way oil announcing their
wares.
VETERANS IN THE CITY.
p. ]. Mcmahon, New Orleans La. COmrade
McAiahon served in the navy from SOP TO lS6s,
being most Of the time during the war IN the
Gull Squadron. After his discharge he settled
in New Orleans AID devoted himself 10 the
perfection OF a number of patents OF his own
invention. The principal OF these are con-
nectcd with the famous standard fireless en-
gines now used in New Orleans for the pro-
pulsiOn of street cars.
= III. Brown, u. s. s. Columbia, Deep Water,
VIVA. COmrade Brown was in the navy sew
eral years before the war having been an APP
prentice boy on the old Constitution when She
was stationed on the Pacific Coast. Just prior
10 the war he was in business i'm Illinois, and
had 10 make frequent trips down the Missis-
spPi Valley, which gave him much information
IN regard TO the people and the geography OF
the country that stood him and the country IN
good service afterWard when he re-ontered the
navy and became attached TO Farragpt's and
Porters fects in the Mississippi. lie was pres
ent at the passing of the forts below New Or
leans and IN the operations against Wick sburg.
He is now boolzkeeper for lumber firm in
Deep Water. but finds himself rather lonely.
There are bat few comrades in the neighbor-
hood, and none at all who served in the navy.
MEXICAN PENSION CLAIMS.
Claims under the Mexican pension act have
been filed in the Pension Office 20 the number
of $4,000. of which $500 are in behalf of those
past 20 years Of age. and most Of them widows.
Half OF the claimants are probably over GO.
lt was not anticipated at the time Congress
adjourned that the Pension Office would be
able, with all its accumulated mass of business,
10 do much with the Mexican claims, as through
Mr. Randalls Efforts the Office had been denied
the force necessary for the proper prosecution
Of It's work. But by diligent laaor much has
been accomplished, and certificates on account
o Mexican pensions are now being issued at
the rate Of 200 TO go per day. In the fiscal
year which will close on the Both inst, more
names will have been put on the pensiOn-rolls
than IN any previous year OF our history.
HOME FROM HIS FISHING TRIP.
The President and Col. aud Mrs. Lamont
arrived ia the city Friday night in a special
car attached 10 the regular New York train.
carriage was in waiting at the end OF the
railroad yard aud the party entered il aud
were driven 10 the White House. A few rail-
road officers aud two or three friends Of the
President were the only persons present when
President and party took breakfast at Albany
Albany TO Oswego 10 visit her friend Miss
KingslOrd for fortnight.
THE CAPTURED FLAGS.
The President is said TO have promised Adj't,
Gen. JohnstOne Jones' of North Carolina
during his recent visit 10 this city, that all the
flags taken from the Southern States during
the late war should be returned at an early
date. This resolve on the part of the Presi-
dent is mainly due TO the fundamentally OF
Adj't-Gen. Drum, who wishes to withdraw
from the public gaze all mementoes Of inter
necine striie.
HOW FAR CAN GUN CARRY.
A recent inquiry received at Army Head
quarters from a distant point as 10 what is the
longest distance gun has been known TO carry,
has been answered, by stating that a Krupp
lO-inch gun has made the record Of l5-lO0
miles Other guns, particularly the Armstrong,
have been estimated 10 carry - miles, but they
have not reached that figure ia actual firing as
they have not been fired TO the limit, as il cost
too much 60 load them for experimental pur-
poses.